Seamless Start: Knightsbridge’s Approach to Your Child’s First Term in Reception

Posted: 7th November 2025

What should the first few months of Reception look like at ‘big school?’ 

Starting ‘big school’ is a milestone filled with excitement, and yes, some nerves – for both children and parents. Our primary goal during this crucial time is to help your child transition into a new, stimulating environment and routine through the power of play-based learning. Every school with a Reception class follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Framework, but at Knightsbridge School, we build on this framework to create something truly special.

The start of Reception is primarily a time of intense focus on emotional wellbeing and building a secure base. There’s a reason the EYFS has ‘Foundation’ in its name – our class teachers are literally building the vital foundations for your child’s future learning and development. Think of it like a flower: it needs strong roots and careful care and attention to thrive and reach its full potential.

Our class teachers seamlessly build on your child’s pre-school routine, gently expanding their timetable while significantly boosting their independence. A key difference at Knightsbridge is how we utilise our classroom itself as a ‘third practitioner.’ The room is specifically designed for your child to use resources independently; they are encouraged to ‘pick it, use it, and pack it away.’ We spend the first few weeks ensuring children master their learning environment so they can autonomously access resources, fostering confidence and self-directed learning that sets the tone for their entire academic journey.

The Three Pillars of a Successful Start

Once the crucial settling-in period is complete, our teachers transition their focus to the three foundational ‘Prime Areas’ of the EYFS. They are named ‘Prime’ because they represent the essential skills your child needs to succeed, not just in school, but in life – they build the platform for all future learning.

These Prime Areas are:

  1. Personal, Social and Emotional Development 
  2. Communication and Language 
  3. Physical Development (fine motor skills and gross motor skills)

While we also introduce the Specific Areas (which include Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design), the Prime Areas are our priority. Developing confidence in these foundational skills is what ultimately unlocks a child’s ability to excel in the more structured, academic subjects later on. All of these aspects are paramount so children see themselves as confident, happy little people learning something new every day!

 

The Knightsbridge Advantage: A Launchpad for Lifelong Success

At Knightsbridge School, we don’t just follow the EYFS framework; we use it as a powerful launchpad tailored for our unique central London environment.

In our Reception classes, we ensure children have the opportunities to independently, consistently, and spontaneously demonstrate their skills, moving beyond passive learning into active mastery. This bespoke approach fosters a genuine love of learning and sets an early foundation for academic achievement.

Our nurturing environment is specifically designed to inspire, engage, and excite every learner. This unique combination of play, academic structure, and exceptional pastoral care ensures our Reception experience is positive, consistent, and truly unique. By fostering strong social, emotional, and physical capabilities in the earliest years, we are enhancing their overall ability to learn and setting them on the path to becoming well-rounded, ambitious individuals ready for the Prep School and Senior School journey at Knightsbridge.

By Miss Grace, Head of EYFS at Knightsbridge School.

 

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